Headlight for automobiles.



0.1B. WUODPIELD; O.'M.` MORRIS & J. Wi GOSLING. HEADLIGHT FOR ATGMOBILES. APPLmATIoN funn mums, 1910. RENEWBD JUNE s 1911.

LQMAQQ. Patented Jan. 9, w12.

` 2 HEETSr-BHEBT 1.

10 ai i;

ff 1 f I @5&9 M' Morris @wd A r rom/frs O.'B. WOODFIEL, 0. MORRISV c Jl W. GOSLING. HEA-DLIGHT POR AUTOMOBILES. APPLIOATIQN FILED vJULM5, 1910. RENBWED JUNB', 1911.

1,014,429, Patented Jan. 9; 1912.

2 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

15e/2151 Il i A Y 1v, le w f m M Oto M .Morris and necting the two UNITED STATES @TENT oFFioE- OTIS 2B. WOODFIELD, OTTO M.

MORRIS, AND JOHN W. GOSLING, 0F `.SPRING- LAKE i BEACH, NEW JERSEY. i

' vnnannrenfi ron. AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Application filed July 25, 1910, Serial No. 573,762. -Renewed .Tune 6, `1911. Serial Nor' 631,566.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that we, Oris B. VOODFiELD, OTTO M. Mouais, and JOHN W. GosLiNc,

lcitizens ofthe United States, all residing in Spring Lake Beach, county of Monmouth,

to enable the driver to steer the vehicle out of the way of obstructions. Such head lights are, usually, supported instationary positions upon the vehicle, but in a prior application filed by us as joint inventors on Feb. 5, 1910, Serial No. 542,220, we pro-` vide means controllable by a part of the vehicle steering mechanism whereby the head' lights may be shifted inposition when the front vehicle wheels are moved `for steering the vehicle, thus throwing the rays of light from the respective lamps directly into the paths of the front wheels so as to illuminate the road to the best advantage. A salient feature .of the present invention consists of means for retaining each head lightin a fixed position relative to the vehicle at such times as it is not desired to move the head light by the steering gear, as during the day time and when the vehicle is at rest. The retaining or locking means for. each head light is simple, efficient and positive in action, and said means iseasily operated by the driver.

Another part of the invention consists of meansfor impartingmovement to the head light whenoperatively connected with the steering gear of a vehicle, and a further feature consists of improved means for conhead lights whereby they are adapted for simultaneous adjustment.

Other features of construction. and ad-.

vantages -of the y'inventionlwill appear in the course' of the detailed description to be hereinafter given.

lIn vthe accompanying drawings we have illustrated one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction shown therein is to be understood as illustrative, only, andnot as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the front por? tion of a motor vehicle illustrating the means for supporting and adjusting the head lights as embodied in our invention.

f Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the parts shown 1n Fig. 1, illustrating one of the head lights. Fig. 3 is an enlarged viewk in side elevation illustrating a supporting bracket, apart of the head light supporting means, and certain of the operative parts employed in .connection therewith. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a supporting bracketillustrating a locking means for the lamp supporting spindle adjusted to release said spindle and permit it to turn freely within the supporting bracket. Fig. y5 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 4 illustratingthe locking means adjusted to a position for retaining` the `lamp supporting spindle against rotary movement, whereby the head 'light is precluded from adjustment. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the lfine (5;6' of Fig. l, and Fig.' T is another horizontal section on the line 7-7 of Fig. ll.

In Figs. 1 and 2 we have shown so much of an automobile as is necessary for an unl derstanding of the invention. A indicates a front part of the vehicle, B the steering wheels, C a part of the steering mechanism, and D a part of the running gear or supporting springs. These several features are `usual in automobile construction andv constitute no part of our invention.

E, F are supporting brackets for two head lights, one of which is indicated at Gr' in Fig. 2. The supporting brackets are attached to the front part of the vehicle in any usualvor preferred way, said brackets being positioned between steering wheels, B, nearly vin front of said wheels, although the particular position of the brackets is not important, for the/reason that said brackets may be supported on any suitable front part of the vehicle. The brackets, E, F ,and the devices associated therewith are similar in kconstruction so that a` description of oneA bracket and its associated parts will answer for the other. Each bracket is shown more clearly in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, of the uur drawings, bv reference to which it will be seen that said bracket embodies in its construction a chambered shell or casing, e, the same being preferablycast in a single piece of metal. As shown, the bracket is substantially circular in cross section, and the bottom portion, e, of the bracket is in the form of a head which is "cast in one piece with the cylindrical shell, the top end of theI bracket being open. The bracket is provided with a female thread, e2, into which is screwed a male threaded iiange, f, on a removable head, f, said` head being detachably connected tothe upper open end of the bracket for the purpose of closing said end. The interior constructiony of shell or casing,

j e, is as follows: A chamber, g, is provided in the upper part of shell or casing, e, and below this chamber is a shoulder, gl, which produces a smaller chamber, g2, the two chambers, g, g2, being in communication. The closed lower end vor head, e, is provided with a socket, Zi, which is square or polygonal in shape. In addition to the socket, ZL, bottom member or head, e, of the casing is provided with a threaded hole, h, into which is screwed a conical pointed bearing v screw, 'I-I, the latter being adapted to form a step bearing for a. spindle, I. Said spindle, I, is mounted within casing, e, for rotation freely therein at certain times, but at other times the spindle is locked or retained against rotary movement. The spindle supports or carries a spider, J, for the lamp or head light, and to this endthe upper part ofthe spindle is extended through an opening provided centrally in removable cap, f', of the bracket shell or casing. The spindle is cylindrical for the major part of its length, but the lower part of said spindle is made square or polygonal in cross section, as at z' in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings,

Vthe lower extremity of the spindle being provided with a central recess adapted to receive the conical end of bearing screw, H. From this description 1t will be apparent l that the lower-end of the spindle is supported bythe bearing screw, and that a cylindrical'part of the spindle fits snugly in a central aperture provided in' cap, f whereby the spindle is mounted -in the shell or casing for rotation with respect to two bearing points.

.For the purpose of securing free rotation of the'spindle and supportingit steadily in operative position within theshcll or casing, we prefer to employ a roller bearing herein shown as a sleeve, 7c, and a. series of rollers, In. The sleeve fits loosely upon a cylindrical part of spindle, I, so that the bearingl rollers, ls', will coperate with thesleeve andwith depending flange, f, of cap f. The spindle is shown as having a' collar, z",

upon which rests the sleeve, la, whereby endwise movement of the spindle 1n an upward l direction is precluded by engagement of collar, c, with sleeve, k. The rollerbearing may be of anyjsuitable or desired construction, and we may omit-said bearing, or employ it, as may be deemed most expedient.

L designates a locking member square or polygonal in cross section and in the form of a sleeve, whereby the locking member is fitted slidably onthe square or polygonal end portion, i, of spindle, I. The locking member is thus mounted on the spindle for rotation therewith, and it is adapted to slide lengthv'vise on the square part of the spindle. The locking member is positioned to enter the square or polygonal socket, t, in the bottcm portion of casing, e, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the locking member isadapted to cooperate with the socket for the purpose of precluding rotary motion of spindle, I, thus locking said spindle against rotary movement within the casing.

Means are provided for lifting the lockthe locking member and the spindle may rotate withimthe casing when it is desired to adjust the head light which is carried by the spindle. Said means for adjusting the locking member in one direction is embodied in the form of a yoke, Z, positioned within chamber, g2, of the casing, said yoke being shown as having .ar arm Z', pivoted by a pin, Z2, within a recess, Z3, at one side of the casing, see Figs. 4,5, and 7. The adjust-ing yoke straddles or embraces locking member, L, and this yoke is adapted to be lifted by .the operation of aca-m, m, which -is carried on a rock shaft, M. Said rock shaft is mounted for rotation in the casing, y and to a protruding end of the rock shaft is fastened anoperating arm, M', see Fig. 3. At the free end of the arm is provided aknob', m, having a locking pin, m2, adapted to engage with aperture, m3, in a plate, m4, secured to the outside of casing, c, as shown in Fig. 3. It is evident, however, that the means for adjusting the rock shaft and for retaining said shaft and the cam in opera- .tive positions may be varied by a skilled constructor. Vhenthe arm, MQ, is shifted in one direction, shaft, M, is turned to elevate cam, m, and thus throw yokeZ, in an upward direction, whereby locking member, L, is lifted into chamber, g2, and out of engagement with socket, ZL. thus permitting the spindle tovrotate.l The adjustment of the arm, rock shaft and cam in an opposite v ing member above socket, ZL, in order that direction, however, allows the locking memp' l ber to beilowered within chamber, g2, and to fit within socket, ZL, whereby the'locking member is held against rotationby engagement with the walls ofthe socket, and spin-- dle, I, is-thus precluded from'rotating with-' in the casing. The downward movement of the locking member upon the square or lpolygonal art of spindle, I, is facilitated- ,'rotationl' l v loosely ,.ar,ound.spindle, I, one end of the spring engaging \vitl1 ,collar, z", of the spindle. Telle other end of said spring 1s seated against an. end portion of locking member,

L, orpon .a gear, O, attached to the locking membeigor sleeve L.

Gear,-;O.,fofrms oneffelementl of the mecha nism bycwhich the spindle is connected operatively-lwiththe steering gear, whereby7 the'spindleandthehead light are adapted "to berotated rwhen thefront wheels of the vehicle are shiftedbythe action of the steering gearyfit being assumed that' the spindle is released-by adjustment of the locking member, L, outof engagementwith socket,

' L. The casing, e, associated with bracket,

F, of head light, Gr,1 is shown as having a :transverse tubular guide, 71, one end of which is closedy by ahead, p', and the other end of v which is prtwidedwith a stalling box, p2, see

` v1 `igs. 3 and 6.. YVithin this tubular guide is operatively fitted a rod, P, having al series of gearteeth, Pt, constituting a rack. The rack of rod, P,vis positioned for engagement with the teeth ofggear, O, and when the rack is movedwin one direction' or the other, it operates to impart rotary movement to gear, O. Gear, O, may bev'mutilated or threaded for a part of its periphery, as shown in Fig. 6, or it may be continuously threaded around the entire periphery thereof as. isI evident.

The operatin stem,-YP, is providedwith a forkedend, P', vto which is adapted to .be connected a.,1'0d,.P2, which extends rearwardly from `the head light and is connected in a suitableway with a part of steering gear, C, `whereby the operation of steering gear, C, to. shift the positions of front wheels.

' B, will, also, operate rod, P2, and member,

P, for the purpose :of `turning the gear, O, and member, L,; whereby the lamp spindle, I, will be rotated. within the casing, e, when member, L, is elevated, as shown in Fig. 4,

so as to befree from engagement with socket, k.

It will be understood that the spindle"`and head light associated with bracket, F. are connected by the gear mechanism with the steering gear,but in order to insure the two head lights of brakets, E, F, moving simultaneously and 'toian equal extent. we employ means for connecting the spindle of bracket, F, with the spindle of bracket, Said spindle, I, :of bracket, F, is providedV Witha rearwardly extending arm, O. the samehaving a ball'shaped head, Q, at its outer-end. The spindle associated with bracket, E'. is provided with a similar rearwardly'extending arm, Q', the. free end of which'ais'.'furnished with a similar ballshapedghead. Betweenthe arms, Q, Q', ofl

the two spindles ofbrackets,ll, F extends a rod, R, which is provided with sleeves, r,

at the respective ends thereof. Said sleeves are furnished with slo'tsfand with-ballashaped sockets, whereby the ball shaped ends, y, of arms, Q, QQ, are operatively fitted in the sockets of sleeves, r, on the connecting rod. lt. From this 1description it is apparent that the operation of connecting mechanism, P, P2, by the steering gear will. turn the spindle, l. ot bracket, l", and the motion of this spindle will be communicated by arm, Q, and rod. R, to the arm, Q'. of

the spindle mounted in bracket, E, whereby the two spindles will rotate in their bearings or brackets, E, F, for the purpose of simultaneously shifting the 'two head lights in accordance with the adjustment of steering wheels, B, thus throwing the ravs of light from the lamps or head lights direct-ly into the paths of said wheels.

It will be understood that the spindles of Ithe head lights. are adapted to be locked in position by the driver when the head lights are not to be rotated by the operation of the steering mechanism. This locking operation is performed by turning the arms, M', so as to lower cams, m, 4and allow springs, N, to press the polygonal lockingl sleeves into sockets, it, of the respective brackets. Provision is thus made for` retaining the lamps in fixed positions on the-vehicle, and when the locking sleeve, L, .of bracket, F, is' lowered, the gear, O, moves downward with said locking sleeve, L, thus disengaging the gear from rack, P, wherebythe reciprocab ing movement of rack, P, when actuated by the steering gear will not,att`ect the gear nor the spindle, l, of the head light associated with bracket, F. Should the driver desire, however, to permit the steering gear to impart rotary motion to the head lights simultaneously with the adjustment of the front steering wheels it is necessary to operate arms, M', for the purpose lof raising forksJ Z and locking sleeves, L, thereby compressing springs, N, and placing the gear, O` of bracket, E, into mesh with the teeth of rack, P. This adjustmentof the locking mechanism is performed by the driverbefore starting the vehicle, and thereafter the adjustn'xent of the head lights in unison with the movement of Ithe wheels is performed automatically by the means connecting one head light with the steering gear.

As shown in the drawings, each spider, J,

llt

spider are overlapped and interlocked, as

shown in Fig. 3. and the two spider arms with arm, Q or Q'. are fitted on an upward protruding part of spindle, I, whereby the 1 two spider-'arms and arm, Q, are adapte-d to be held ixedly by a single nut, s, which lis screwed upon the upper end of the spindle] F rom the foregoing description':itisapf parentthat we have provided simple,"`e`iiicient and positive means for loclrin'gQ-and releasing tlie operating spindle of each head lig-lit, said'operating means being housed oi' contained Wholly'- Within the casino. The

1Q :niechanismis thus protected from the accesy'gs'i'on of dust and moisture, and the parts lare easily assembled and removed. The lamp supporting and operating 'mechanismlis ca'- pable of application to any Vehicle, and the entire mechanism may be constructed and installed economically and quickly without requiring a special construction of the vehicle itself.

y Having thus :tullyv described the invention,

whatwe claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i 1. In a device of tlie'classdescribed, a sup-V porting member, a lamp carrying member mounted thereon, an operatingv member adapted to bev moved by a vehicle running gear, a rotative lamp-turning member. cooperating withv said lamp-carrying member 'and the' operating member,- said vrotative lamp-turning member being movable relaf.

tively to the operating member soas to be disengaged therefrom, and means for locle ing the lamp-carrying member from rotative movement when the rotative lamp-turning member is disengaged from the operating `5'0, 3. In a device of the class described, a

cliainbered supporting member, a lamp- .cairying member rotative therein, an operating member adapted to be moved bya 4vehicle running gear, a rotative member substantia'lly incased within the chamber of said-Supporting member, said rotative member cooperating with the lamp-carrying member and the operating member, means for adjusting said rotative member relative to thelamp-carrying memberand disengaging it from the opeiating member, and means` for locking the lamp-carrying member from rotative movement when said rotative meniber's disconnected from the Aoper-atm g meinber.

4. In a device of the class'described, a

chambered 'supporting member, l alamp-- carrying member rotative therein, an operating meinberadapted to be moved by a Vehicle running. gear, a rotative. member substantially incased Within the chamber of said supporting member, said rotative member coperating with the lamp carrying member and the operating member, adjusting means disconnected rom thevrotative member and cooperating therewith for mov ing said rotative member relative to the lamp carrying member and the, operating member, whereby said rotative member is disconnected from the one and'retained in operative relation to the other, and means operable upon the disengaging adjustment of said rotative inember'for locking the lamp-carrying member-from rotative move ment.

5. In a device ofthe class described, a supporting member, a lamp operating spin dle rotative therein, an operating member movable by the motion ofa vehicle running gear, a lrotative member slidable upon said spindle, whereby said member is adapted to be operatively connected -to the operating member for imparting rotative movement to said spindle, means for adjusting-said rota tive member .to disengage it from the opoperating with the spindle for restraining' .it from rotative movement when said rotat-ivemeniber isvdisconnected from the operating member.

46. .-In a device of the class described, asupporting member, a lamp-operating spindle rotative therein, an operating member, a rotative member adapted jto coperate with -saidoperating member, said rotative-.mem-

ber being movable to two positions in one of which it is' operable by said operating inember for imparting rotative movement to the spindle, and in the other of which it is disconnected from said operating member,

means for adjusting said rotative member,

and locking means controllable by the adj ustnient of the rotative member and adapted to restrain said spindle from rotative move` nient when the rotative member is disengaged from the operating member.

l. In a device ofthe class described, a cbambei'ed supporting member, a lamp-fo;-

'erating spindle rotative in said member, siid spindle having a part angular in cross see- --erating member, and locking mechanism oo tion, means for imparting rotative movementto said spindle, a locking member slidable'on the angular part ofthe spindle, said locking member being adapted for engage- -12 ment with a part of the supporting member for restraining the spindle against rotative nmvcnicni. and incansfoi slidably'adjusting ihrl locking incinbcr.

in a device' of the class described, a. chaml'iei'cd supporting. member having a socket,@damp-operating spindle rotative in sai-dn'ieniber; means :for .imparting rotative .movementl't-o said spindle, a locking member slidable upon the spindleand means `for ad- 5 just-ing the:` locking 'member into and out ot' t-h'e sbcltetl Vivi'thinrtlie supporting member.

l '-9.:r-Iii afflevic'ei tit-the clas.l described, a chambreredf "supporting member having a socltetf,l a:lamp-operating spindle rotative in '10saiil-meniber, afloelting sleeve movable on the spindle into and out ot' engagement with the socket,'saidsleevehaving a gear. a rack 'adapted-to., mesh with the gear and to im- -Ip'art'rotative* iiiove'nlient to the spindle, a

spriiigfformoving-tliesleeve in one direc- Etion, and meansforadjusting the sleeve in 'anfopposite direction 'I' -110. In a-de!v ice oflthe class described, a -si'ipporting men'iberfa lampfoperating spindie rotative"relativeithereto, an operating rack. a gear rotative ivitlik the spindle and v'meshing with thecracl. means for adjusting` salid .gearlengthn-'i-'se of the spindle, thereby disconnecting said gearvfrom the rack, and i5 means-,for-restraimng-the spindle from rotarack, a gear rotative-#with the spindle and meshing with the rack. means for adjusting said gear lengthwise ot the spindle. thereby disconnecting said gear `trom the rack, and

I locking means controllable b v the gear and adapted to lock the spindle from rotative movement ivlien sa id gearis disengaged from the rack.

'12. In a device of the class described, a supporting member, a lamp-operating spin- 40 dle rotative relative thereto, an operating rack, a gear rotative With the spindle and meshing ivitli the rack. means for adjusting -said gear lengthwise of the spindle, a spring' opposing said movement of the gear, and

means for locking the spindle from rotative movement upon the adjustment of the gear to a position free from said rack.

13. In a device of the class described, a supporting member, a lamp-operating spin- '50 die rotative relative thereto, an operating rack. a gear rotative ivith the spindle and meshing ivith the rack, a spring cooperating with the gear, a member pivoted independently of the gear, said pivoted member engaging vvith the gear for moving it in opposition to the spring and into a position to mesh with the rack, 'and means 'for locking the spindle.

11. In a device of the class described, a

cliainbered casing. a spindle rotative therein,

an operating rack. a gear positioned vvithin the chamber of the casing, said gear being fitted on the spindle and meshing with the rack, a member vengaging the gear and positioned within the casino', means operated exteriorly of, the .casing 'for-movingsai-i. member, and a spring coperatingivwitht'iie gear for moving the same to ap s ition- Jr.ree fromthe. rack.

15. In a device of the class ,descril'fed, a: ehambered casing, a spindle rotative therein, an operating rack, a gear positioned within the chamber of the casing, said gJar being fitted on the spindle and meshing with the rack, a member engaging the gear and positioned Within the easi-ig. the spring engaging the gear for moving it to a position disconnected from the rack, a cam for operating the member in `ipposition to the tension of the spring, md means for retaining the cam and gear-shifting member inadjusted positions. whereby the gear is 'retained in operaiverelation to the rack.

1G. In a de* ice of the classdescribed, a cliainbered easing, a spindle rotative therein, an operating` rack, a gear positioned within the chamber of the casing, said gear being fitted, on the spindle and meshingivith the rack,va spring acting -on the gear, a member pivoted within the casing and coperating with the gear for moving it along the spindle ir a direction opposite to that in which said gear is moved by' thespring, a cam shat cooperating ivitli the pivoted member, ani means .for retaining the cam shaft in aijusted position whereby the gear is retained in mesh with the rack.

17. In a device of the class described, a chambered casing, a spindle rotative therein, an operating rack, a gear positioned within the casing. said gear being rotative with the spindle and slidable thereon, means for moving said gear to a position free from engagement with said rack, adj-listing .means coperating vvith the gear for retaining it in mesh with the rack, and means controllable by the sliding -movement of the gear and operating` to lock the spindle from rotative movementivhen Said gear is free from the rack.

18. In a device ofthe' class described, a chambered casing, a spindle stepped in said casing, anti-friction bearings whereby the spindle is adapted for free rotative movement relative to the casing,` an operating rack, a gear rotative with said spindle and slidable thereon, a spring operating the gear to slide it to a position disconnected from the rack, adjusting means for moving the vgear and retaining it in mesh with the rack,

and locking meanscontrollable by the sliding adjustment of the gear for restraining the spindle from rotative movement when said gear is disconnected from the rack.

19. In adeviee of the class described, a supporting member having a Socket, an operating member adapted to be moved by a vehicle ruiming gear, a lamp spindlerotative relative to said supporting member, and a rotative lainp-tiirning member carried by said lamp spindle and movable relative to 25 in a fixed position relative to said supporting member.

zo '-I l gagingl said llamp-turning member from the the operating member so asto be disengaged therefrom, said lamp-.turning member being adapted for engagement with the socket of the supporting member when, it is disenglagedfromsaid operating member, whereby tie lamp-,turning memberv is ,locked against rotation-and it operates to preclude rotative movement of the lampl spindle.

20.In a device of the class described, a supporting member having locking means, a lamp operating spindle rotativerelative to said supporting member, a rotative lampturning member s lidably mounted on said spindle,lmeans coperating with. said lampf turning member and the running gear of a vehicle whereby said lamp-turning member maybe rotated in unison with the movement of the vehicle running gear when said lampvturning member Voccupies a predetermined position on la spindle, and `means for disenx vehicle coperatlng means and positioning said lamp turning member int-o engagement with the locking means of the supportin frame, Wherebysaid A spindle will be locke 21. Ina headlight, a spindle, `means for imparting rotative movement to the spindle, said means including a reciprocating member and a rotative member, means forv disengaging the rotative member from the reciprocating member, and meansfor locking the rotative .member and the'spindle from rotative movement Whensaid rotative member 1s dlsengaged' from the .reclprocatmg member.

22. In a headlight, a spindle, a sliding and rotatable member coperating therewith, means for imparting rotative movement to said member, means for adjustin the member lengthwise of the spindle, an means for locking themember from rotative movement when so adjusted. j

23. In a headlight, a spindle, an operating member adapted to be actuated by a steering, gear, locking means, and a shiftable and'rotatable member adapted' in oneposi- V'tion to coperate with the locking means and the spindle to restrain the spindle, from rotative movement, in another .position to .cooperate with the operating membe1' .and

the spi` dle forV impartingrotative movement toisaid spindle.

In testimony Whereofwejjhave signed our f names t-othis specivica'tionf'- in the -presence of two subscribing witnesses.

oTIs B. WooDFiELD. i.

OTTO M. MORRIS. JOHN GOSLING.

Witnesses:

HENRY S. OsBoRN, HELEN TAYLOR. 

